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What is the Great Western Railway Roundel?
Posted in: Model Railway
10th August 2021
The Great Western Railway Roundel is a logo used by the GWR on locomotives and rolling stock between 1934 and 1942....
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How long should it take to construct a model kit?
Posted in: Kit building
21st April 2021
How long it should take to construct a model kit may seem like a question that can't be answered as it of course...
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What advantages do dummy or non-running locomotives offer when placed on a layout?
Posted in: Model Railway
20th November 2023
Dummy or non-running locomotives can offer several advantages when placed on a model railway layout. Let's explore...
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What is the largest radius set track curve for N gauge?
Posted in: Tracks
13th October 2022
There are four different options for track curve radius for N gauge and the largest is referred to as 'fourth' radius...
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Where is the best location to base my model railway on?
Posted in: Design and Planning
26th October 2021
It is impossible to visit a model railway show and not be impressed, inspired or even a little envious at some of the...
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How can you tell the complexity of a kit?

The complexity of a model kit can often be subjective depending on a modeller's experience and dexterity, so how can you tell if a particular kit is for you?

That is a very big question considering the sheer number and types of kit on the market. Some manufacturers such as Airfix and Revell offer a rating system on the box to suggest a modelling ability their kit is aimed at, but what about the rest?

If you are in a shop, you can always ask for a peek inside the box. If you're doing this, take note of the number of parts in the kit. If you don't like big or complex projects, the chances are you will not enjoy a 200-piece kit.

Once you have found a suitably sized project, pay particular attention to the size of the components in the kit. Although none of us like to admit it, the clock only ticks one way, so make sure that you are happy and capable of putting together the smaller parts. It's important to be honest with yourself at this point because the shopkeeper is probably not going to make any assumptions, and rightly so.

If you are shopping online, the task of identifying the complexity of a kit becomes more, well, complex! Most listings will give little away, concentrating more on the details and what's included, and an internet search for the product will likely only succeed in bringing up lots more listings, so you end up going round and round in circles.

If that frustration sounds familiar, try looking on YouTube for your answer. There are thousands of model reviews and unboxing videos out there as well as a generous library of tutorials. These are great for assessing a kit because even if the audio doesn't directly address your questions, the footage will certainly help you.

Finally, if you prefer your communication in a more traditional way, you can always chat to your local modelling club or phone your local model shop, both of which are always happy to help!

Posted in: Kit building

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